THE HOMESTRETCH of the elimination round of the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association tournament Philippine Cup ceases momentarily to give way to the annual All-Star festivities this weekend in Pangasinan.
Happening in the town of Calasiao, this year’s All-Star weekend begins with the holding of three skills challenge events as aperitif to the night cap that is the revived Rookies/Sophomores versus Juniors selection match.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Beau Belga, last year’s Obstacle Course winner, returns to defend his title against a field of big men, namely, Yousef Taha (TNT), Noy Baclao (Alaska), Justine Chua (Phoenix), Mo Tautuaa (NorthPort), Raymar Jose (Blackwater), Prince Caperal (Barangay Ginebra), Brian Faundo (Meralco), Russel Escoto (Columbian Dyip), and Rafi Reavis (Magnolia).
His fellow Rain or Shine (ROS) player James Yap, too, is back to try and keep his Three-Point crown. Angling to take the title away from him are LA Tenorio (Barangay Ginebra), Marcio Lassiter (San Miguel) Matthew Wright (Phoenix), Robert Bolick (NorthPort), Simon Enciso (Alaska), Philip Paniamogan (NLEX), Michael Digregorio (Blackwater), Reden Celda (Columbian Dyip), Baser Amer (Meralco), Roger Pogoy (TNT), and Peter June Simon (Magnolia).
Then there is Slam Dunk king Rey Guevarra of the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters who is seeking to stay at the top of the league’s high-flyers, leading the participants in the slam dunk competition which also has Renz Palma (Blackwater), Chris Newsome (Meralco), Lervyn Flores (NorthPort), and CJ Perez (Columbian Dyip) seeing action.
Meanwhile, making a comeback is the RSJ game, featuring the PBA’s upstarts, which was first played 30 years ago.
Bannering the rookie-sophomores team is Mr. Perez. Joining him are Jason Perkins (Phoenix), Jeron Teng (Alaska), Messrs. Bolick and Jose, Abu Tratter and Paul Desiderio (Blackwater), Mark Tallo (NLEX), Trevis Jackson (Meralco), Rey Nambatac and Javee Mocon (Rain or Shine), and Robbie Herndon (Magnolia).
The Juniors, for their part, have Mac Belo and Ael Banal of Blackwater, Messrs. Pogoy and Wright, Jio Jalalon (Magnolia), Carl Bryan Cruz (Alaska), Kevin Ferrer (Barangay Ginebra), Rashawn McCarthy and Russel Escoto (Columbian), Mike Tolomia (Meralco), Ed Daquioag (Rain or Shine) and Von Pessumal (San Miguel).
On Saturday, the second day of the festivities, will be the grand fan’s day with an accompanying music festival with Pupil, Gloc9 and JKris performing.
Then on Sunday, March 31, will have the Shooting Stars, 3×3 Challenge and the weekend’s highlight — the North All-Stars versus South All-Stars match.
Voted by the fans to start for the North team are Calvin Abueva (Phoenix), Japeth Aguilar (Barangay Ginebra), Paul Lee (Magnolia), Messrs. Tenorio and Lassiter (San Miguel).
The North reserves are Stanley Pringle (Northport), Alex Cabagnot and Arwind Santos (San Miguel), Gabe Norwood (Rain or Shine), Jayson Castro and Troy Rosario (TNT), Chris Banchero (Alaska), Mark Caguioa (Barangay Ginebra), Mr. Perkins, and Marc Pingris (Magnolia). PBA legends Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc of the Shell franchise fame are also part of team. Coaching the North team is Louie Alas of Phoenix.
Starting for the South, meanwhile, are June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel), Mr. Yap, Scottie Thompson and Greg Slaughter (Barangay Ginebra) and Mark Barroca (Magnolia). The reserves are Chris Ross (San Miguel), Messrs. Amer, Simon, Jalalon, Pogoy and Belo, Terrence Romeo (San Miguel), Poy Erram (NLEX) and Joe Devance (Barangay Ginebra). Purefoods legends Alvin Patrimonio and Jerry Codiñera spice up the squad. Rain or Shine Caloy Garcia will be the South coach.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said they are “happy” to bring the PBA All-Star festivities to Calasiao, seeing how it has taken care of the league when it pays a visit there. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
